In a bid to streamline our skincare routines, many of us forgo dedicated eye creams and serums, believing we have it covered with the formulas we use on our face. But that is far from the case over in Korea. “The eye area is treated as its own skin rather than an extension of the face,” Mina Lee, facialist and Korean glass skin expert, tells me. “We are taught to care for it from a young age, gently and consistently.” This is why sheet masks are so ubiquitously popular, including specialised eye patches. It is also why Korean eye patches are the best in the game.
’s top Korean eye patches at a glance:
The benefits of Korean eye patches are twofold. They act as targeted treatments, imparting supercharged ingredients to the skin over a period of time and to address a particular concern, whether it’s hydration, puffiness, or minimising the appearance of dark circles. Lee explains, “The patch holds a high dose of active ingredients against the skin and prevents them from evaporating, allowing more to be absorbed in a short space of time.”
The periorbital area is prone to dehydration. The expert reveals that this is because “The skin under the eye is much thinner than elsewhere and has very few oil glands, so it loses moisture quickly and is usually the first place to show tiredness.” Eye patches can address this. In the treatment window, Lee adds, “dry lines soften and the skin can look smoother and brighter.” Beyond boosting hydration, they can also reduce puffiness, especially if, like me, you keep them in the fridge. “The cooling effect combined with ingredients like caffeine helps reduce morning swelling,” Lee reveals. Other concerns like dark circles are more dependent on the cause, the expert stresses. “Dark circles caused by dehydration or dullness respond well to patches,” while pigmentation can “improve over time with consistent use of brightening ingredients.
For all the reasons above, they are a staple part of her facials as a finishing step after advanced treatments to “calm the skin, reinforce hydration and support recovery”, as well as for red carpet prep with her celebrity clients: “I almost always include a sheet mask before make-up application. It leaves the skin looking radiant and hydrated.”
But beyond the formula itself, the act of applying them encourages you to take a moment of self-care too. “The reason I’ve always been such an advocate of sheet masks is that they reflect my philosophy towards both skincare and life: healthy skin is built through consistent care, not trends or miracle products. The skin, body and mind are interconnected, and lasting results come from supporting all three. A face mask encourages you to slow down, give your skin the attention it needs and create a moment of wellbeing for yourself,” Lee concurs.
Scroll on for the -approved edits of Korean eye patches.
Why it’s -approved: After a sleepless night, be that by choice after a night on the tiles, or for new parents, you will want the Yepoda The Depuff Eyespresso in your skincare arsenal. The patches are boosted with caffeine, green tea, aloe vera and calendula as a winning pick-me-up for tired eyes. As soon as they are applied, the ingredients get to work to soothe, cool and calm puffiness, while over the duration of 15 to 20 minutes, the dehydration-prone area is plumped and smoothed.
Julia Storm testing the Yepoda The Depuff Eyespresso
DRN Caffeine Collagen Firming Gel Patches
Why it’s -approved: Mina Lee, facialist and Korean skincare expert, says that for puffiness, the Medicube PDRN Caffeine Collagen Eye Patches are up there with the best. She is a fan of the ingredient list that combines caffeine with PDRN, the component that is derived from salmon DNA. There is also retinol and collagen to firm, smooth and brighten the periorbital area. The expert tells me that the patches “work best chilled”, so keep them in the fridge for best results.
Why it’s -approved: The Biodance Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask is one of the most popular Korean sheet masks on the market, and they also come as a targeted treatment for the eyes. But unlike the full-face mask, the eye patches are not designed to be used overnight. Instead, they infuse collagen peptides over 15 to 20 minutes to plump skin. Made from hydrogel, they affix well to the skin and can even be used around the face on the likes of smile lines or forehead lines.
No.9 NAD Collagen Under Eye Patches
Why it’s -approved: Much like our body’s natural collagen level declines, so too do our NAD+ levels. This is an important coenzyme that energises our cells. It is the main ingredient in these eye patches from the innovative Korean label Numbuzin, selected to support the skin barrier, repair and revitalise the under-eye area. It is combined with collagen, peptides, caffeine and niacinamide as a supercharged combination to fake an eight-hour slumber.
Why it’s -approved: Celimax is likely best known for its targeted retinoid-based cream, but don’t sleep on the remainder of the supercharged collection – these patches included. The under-eye masks are made from hydrogel and infused with an ingredient list that is a who’s-who of the most buzzy skincare ingredients of the moment. Calling on the brightening powers of tranexamic acid, an ingredient selected for its pigmentation and dark-spot-brightening effects, niacinamide and caffeine, there are also peptides and ceramides to enrich moisture and centella asiatica and fig fruit extract to soothe.
Heimish Hydrogel Eye Patch, Bulgarian Rose
Why it’s -approved: Recommended by Mina Lee, a facialist and Korean glass skin expert, the Heimish Hydrogel Eye Patch is designed to address radiance and hydration. She explains, “It’s a gentle, everyday hydrogel that calms and suits sensitive skin.” This is through the star ingredient of Bulgarian rose water that soothes and brings radiance.
What should people look for when choosing an under-eye patch?
When it comes to Korean eye patches, or eye patches of any kind, it is important to pay attention to two main factors: the material of the patch and the ingredient list. “For the eye area, I recommend hydrogel,” says Lee. “Hydrogel patches hold more serum, follow the natural curve under the eye and stay in place during wear. They are naturally cooling and release their ingredients gradually. Sheet-style patches are lighter and suitable for a quick boost, but they dry out faster and tend to lift at the edges.”
When it comes to the ingredients, pay attention to concentration too. “The ingredients list matters more than the claims on the box,” the expert stresses. “In Korean clinics, we look at what is in the formula and in what concentration. Avoid strong fragrance and alcohol this close to the eye, and choose a patch designed for one clear concern.”
How important is the material of the mask?
As mentioned above, the material of the mask is one of the key features to look for when selecting the one to suit your concerns. The material is essential in the effectiveness of the patch in terms of ingredient absorption and delivery as well as whether it stays affixed during the treatment time. There are four main types and Lee breaks down the differences below:
- “Bio-cellulose masks are among my clinical favourites. Originally developed for wound and burn care, they fit like a second skin, hold moisture exceptionally well and create close contact with the skin, helping ingredients absorb more effectively. They can also hold significant amounts of liquid, allowing the essence to be released gradually throughout treatment.
- Hydrogel masks are similarly effective and provide an immediate cooling effect, making them ideal for dehydration, post-treatment skin, before make-up application or after sun exposure.
- Microfibre masks are made from extremely fine fibres that sit closely against the skin, reducing evaporation and helping deliver larger amounts of serum. They are also particularly comfortable for sensitive skin due to their softness.
- Cotton masks are simple, breathable and suitable for most skin types. However, they do not conform to the skin as closely as bio-cellulose, hydrogel or microfibre materials, making them a less efficient vehicle for more advanced active ingredients.”
Are there any ingredients specific to under-eye concerns to look for?
The buzzy ingredients to look out for are the ones you will recognise from your skincare heroes. These include hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which Lee explains “draw water into the skin” as well as K-beauty favourite snail mucin, which “hydrates and supports repair, making it ideal for dry, sensitised under-eyes”. A popular ingredient in eye creams, Lee spotlights caffeine to “temporarily constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling and works best in a chilled patch.” She also flags popular anti-ageing ingredients like peptides to “support firmness and are gentle enough for frequent use” and retinoids as “the most proven option for fine lines.” For the latter, the expert stresses “I only recommend them for skin already used to retinoids, and never during pregnancy.”
Collagen is a ubiquitously used ingredient in Korean sheet masks and eye patches but rather than replenishing what is lost through ageing, it has a hydrating, plumping effect. Then there are the likes of balancing niacinamide, which “brightens and strengthens the barrier”, and vitamin C for pigmentation. Fermented ingredients are used almost exclusively in Korean skincare. “Fermentation makes ingredients easier for the skin to absorb and supports barrier health, giving a luminous finish,” says Lee and then you have PDRN. “For the eye area, PDRN is one of the most effective ingredients I use. Derived from salmon DNA, it has been used in Korean aesthetic medicine for years to support repair, elasticity and recovery after treatments. It suits thin, fragile under-eye skin because it improves skin quality rather than simply adding moisture.”
How often should people use sheet masks for optimal results? Can wearing them for longer than recommended cause irritation or dryness?
When it comes to Korean eye patches, frequency of use is less important that staying true to the duration listed on the pack. Lee recommends that once a week is a great starting point and explains why there is a time stated. “Once a patch begins to dry, it can draw moisture back out of the skin, leaving the area drier than before,” she says. “Wearing patches with retinoids, vitamin C or acids for hours, or overnight unless they are designed for it, can also cause irritation, as sealing the skin intensifies the ingredients. Follow the recommended timing, press any remaining serum into the skin and finish with an eye cream to seal it in.”
What makes Korean masks different from other masks on the market?
The Korean skincare industry is defined by its innovation, and that is why the masks born out of the country are so effective and popular. “Korean sheet masks stand out because of both their ingredients and the technology used to deliver them,” Lee reveals. “Korean skincare brands are known for continuous research and ingredient innovation. Ingredients such as Centella Asiatica, PDRN, fermented extracts and advanced collagen technologies were widely used in Korea long before they became global skincare trends.”
Korean masks are specific with the concerns that they are trying to address and use high-performance ingredients: “Microfibre, bio-cellulose and hydrogel masks are designed to maximise contact with the skin, helping ingredients absorb more effectively while preventing moisture loss,” she adds.
Long-term skin health is a priority in Korea, which is why sheet masks are such an ingrained practice. “They are considered a functional part of an ongoing skincare routine rather than an occasional treat. Sheet masking is a long-standing skincare habit rooted in prevention, maintenance and consistency,” Lee shares. She tells me about her own personal experience: “I grew up in Korea making homemade masks long before commercial sheet masks became mainstream. Looking after your skin was simply part of everyday life, and modern Korean sheet masks evolved from that culture of consistent care rather than quick fixes.”
Then there is the question of price, kind-to-skin ingredients and gentleness. “Korean sheet masks are designed to be accessible, affordable and gentle enough for regular use. They typically focus on hydration, barrier support and overall skin health, which is why they remain such an important part of Korean skincare routines today. This draws on traditional Korean skincare philosophy and it’s typically more complex than the simple serum or aloe gel found in other masks. In-clinic and at home, I will always apply any remaining essence to the skin after the mask is taken off, to let it soak up even more.”
Meet the expert
Mina Lee is a facialist and Korean glass skin expert, known for a holistic, results-driven approach to skin health.